Simone Biles has officially secured her place in the 2024 Paris Olympics after delivering a stellar performance at the U.S. Gymnastics Trials in Minneapolis. Biles, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, continues to demonstrate her dominance in the sport. Joining her on the women’s team are Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, and promising newcomer Hezly Rivera, rounding out a formidable roster set to compete in Paris.
Simone Biles Speaks Out After MyKayla Skinner’s Olympic Team Comments
Former Olympic gymnast MyKayla Skinner recently made headlines with her controversial comments on the current state of U.S. women’s gymnastics. Reflecting on the talent pool, Skinner said, “Besides Simone, I feel like the talent and the depth just isn’t what it used to be. Many girls put in less effort at work.
The trials witnessed unfortunate injuries to top contenders Skye Blakely, Shilese Jones, and Kayla DiCello, which sparked further discussion. Skinner, reflecting on her own career, expressed regret about not attempting a comeback. “Not saying anything to the girls that got injured, but if I could come back, Additionally, I believe I could have made the Olympic team.”
Backlash and Apology
Skinner’s remarks received swift backlash from the gymnastics community, including a notable response from Simone Biles. Gina Chiles, mother of Olympian Jordan Chiles, voiced her disapproval on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Whoa. She really said that out loud and posted it.
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In response to the criticism, Skinner issued an apology through her Instagram Stories on July 3. She explained, “A lot of the stuff that I was talking about wasn’t necessarily about the current team because I love and support all the girls that made it and I’m so proud of them.It was more about returning to my own gym and seeing that our work ethic now isn’t the same as it was during the Marta (Karolyi) period of gymnastics.
Skinner emphasized that her intention was not to criticize the current team or endorse Marta Karolyi’s controversial coaching methods but to highlight the differences in training approaches over the years. “Sorry for anything that got out of context or seemed hurtful; that was never my intention,” she added.